Thank you so much for showing us all of these wonderful sketchbooks and you're work in them. I need to let you know that are beautiful 21 month old mommy puppy winter snow passed away just before Christmas. Her babies were 7 1/2 weeks old at the time. Thankfully they are all doing very well but my husband has decided that we're keeping them all so I have a house full of 4 cream and white little Chow chows running around. Everyday I look at them and I see more of their mom in the way they behave and how they look. The smallest baby who is named Winter's Storm AKA Stormy looks exactly like her as a baby and acts quite a bit like her. I haven't been able to do any art since she passed away because I just can't focus. I got sick with bronchitis a few days before she passed away and that stopped me dead in my tracks and so at the moment I am working on one of my cross stitch pieces. It says because someone we love is in heaven there's a little bit of heaven in our home. It feels very fitting to be doing this while I'm stuck in bed sick. It seems to be helping me to feel better emotionally. I miss drawing and painting and I hope to get better soon so that I can do some art but it takes time to heal.😊❤
@@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies Sending condolences. My elderly Sheltie woody passed the first week of December. How comforting to have the puppies! Eskies are gorgeous. Sending hugs.
I'm so sorry to hear that. We have a 14 yr old puggle and we've been dreading that day since she turned 10. I hope this year is a better one for you with the new pups. I'm glad you have that joy of those little ones to look forward to. Feel better soon.
@reginaduke7451 I'm sorry to hear about that. I hope this new year helps you heal. The sadness just proves how much joy and love they bring to our lives.
Thanks for the tour through all your books! Glad I'm not the only one that turned a sketchbook into a scrapbook. Seeing your books and hearing your comments now gives me ideas of how to use some less favorite ones I've shelved, maybe go back and try gouache or paint pens on them instead... For watercolor on the go, I really like Artist Loft's spiral bound watercolor book. It's tough, handles lots of layers, lifting, doesn't pill, doesn't tear from tape, handles paint on both sides just fine, and is just fine with fine liners, colored pencil detail, and paint pens. However, it does not handle big washes all that well, but on the go, I'm not doing that kind of painting. Honorable mention to Grumbacher Academy mixed media 98 lb spiral bound journals (can find those at Walmart). They have the pages that you can remove and put back in the book easily. Love those for watercolor with colored pencil or microns. Easier on my pens than traditional watercolor paper. I absolutely adore my journal I made of Arches cold and rough watercolor paper. I was learning to do a coptic stitch. The stitching is a little loose, but I still love my little journal. I save it for more heavy wash, wet on wet, type painting. Artist's Loft level 3 rough mixed media (140 lb) is also great for watercolor. Their black mixed media, level 2 (125 lb) works well for true mixed media, watercolor, gouache, paint markers, and gel pens, but does not handle large washes well. For that, I have to use my Stonehenge black watercolor paper and that does NOT bind in a fold (folding it breaks the paper, way too fragile). For drawing/sketching, not too picky. Just picked up a Master's Touch 80 lb spiral bound book. First test page is a bit smudgy, but only tried one page so far. Also have a tiny square stitch bound one with an elastic (probably Artist's Loft) that I keep in my bag but usually too small for anything other than entertaining myself for five minutes. Generally prefer to quick bind my own from whatever drawing paper is currently grabbing my attention. My most used sketch book right now is a large spiral bound one from Target, Mondo Llama. I love the size, 9.1 x13.6 inches, perforated sheets for easy removal, and bonus, not smudging on me. Microns did not feather or bleed. Have not tried colored pencil in it yet. Just enough texture but not too much. For colored pencil, I really like Strathmore's Colored Pencil paper, comes in a spiral bound. The scribble art I sent you was on that. Takes layers well and handles OMS well. All of your spiral bound handmade journals now has me rethinking my travel journal once I finish the one I'm working on! I really like serial on the go for the ease of folding it over and the support of a hard cover.
Thank you for sharing. I'll have to look up the artist loft spiral watercolor book. Sounds good. I never got along with the Strathmore colored pencil paper. Something about it didn't work well for me. 👍🏻
@@IllustrationsByPete The AL definitely has the typical cold press type texture. If you prefer something closer to a hot press, you might like the "rough" mixed media level 3 (look for the 140 lb), not the level 2 mixed media (that one is thinner, haven't tried that one yet). It's actually slightly smoother than the watercolor paper. Neither is a hot press texture, but the mixed media is a little smoother.
Sketchbook shopping is exactly what's tormenting me right now. This is exactly what I needed! I love paper so much but that also makes me miserable when it's bad. I know I can trust Pete. 😊
I'm glad I can help. I hope you pick the one that's best for you. Even if you pick one that isn't the best for how you work, it could lead to you learning how to use it which could lead to a different style of art that you might enjoy. 🙂
39:45 "I apologize if you don't want to watch this video but I want to talk about it" has the same energy as "I have a pen and a desire to draw and I'm going to make that everyone's problem" 😂
You are too kind Pete - thank you very much for the shoutout! Much love my friend! ❤🤗 My videos are kind of bland 😅... Nice sketchbook collections - some really nice pieces you got there. I have that notebook that you want (in a different leather cover) and it is pretty great - use it on the go when I can. I even tried a rollerball on it and it works a treat! Not sure how well watercolour will work on it. Happy New Year bud! 🥳🎉
Nothing bland about your videos. Great info and great art, what more can anyone ask for? 👍🏻 I did get the book as a gift and I love it. I use watercolor on it but it has to be used differently because the watercolor bleeds out a little like ink, but the ink doesn't seem to bleed. So I do the watercolor first and then the ink otherwise the watercolor bleeds outside the lines. All in all, I just love the feeling of using paper that looks that cool. 😂 Happy New Year! 🎉
I spent a lot of yesterday shopping for a new sketchbook and of course your video shows up this morning. Thank you. My other surprise is that I forgot I have a Leather Village sketchbook so that will be what I'm using for 2025 (planning on making a drawing a day). Saved money and time! Appreciate you and your videos Pete.
I'm so glad this helped. The leather village paper is great. The watercolor does bleed a little but I haven't had the ink bleed on it. I don't know if you use any watercolor.on it but I found putting the paint down first and then the ink once it's dry works best for me. 👍🏻
Speaking of using things the way that works for us... Yupo... I use it as a travel mixing palette. I tried the alcohol ink thing, didn't excite me. But it works GREAT as a reusable surface for mixing watercolors or other water based media on the go. It even comes in cardstock and art panel varieties.
This is great info. My kid is a prolific drawer who mostly used printer paper and wanted to save everything. After ~15 binders filled, I think she needs to move to using more sketchbooks. I have a feeling this year is when I start making them. Right now her preferred paper is BK Rives lightweight printmaking paper (for mostly pencil work.) I am also intrigued by the Fluid hp paper. I love hard lines & glazing when I play with watercolors Thanks!
Pete, I would just love to look through all of your sketch books. I would love the hours it would take me to look at all your work. That would be a true thrill for me. I just love your art. ALL OF IT
I enjoyed the video, it was very informative . I have only three sketch books. I do drawing in my mixed media books. I have filled one and the other is about half way. WC no good in my books, but great for drawing. I have one WC book that I ordered from Temu and it’s called…get ready….DingDongTu 😂. Discounting the name, I LOVE that book, I can paint in it, draw, colored pens, ink, etc. the paper is awesome but have no idea what the weight is, or any particulars really. It’s a six ring, so easy to remove a painting. My niece and her husband have taken so many of them my rings are worn out. LOL Otherwise, I use WC block and end up with tons of single paintings to deal with…OMGosh😮. Thanks for the information, Pete, it’s more than helpful.
I really enjoyed looking at all your art and your experiences with your sketchbooks. I bought myself a few different journals for Christmas to see what I would like so it was interesting to see what you did with them. The art that you were happiest with was also my favourite and I did some art pieces along with your video. Thanks. I hope you had a good Christmas and will have a Happy New Year.
I like Canson XL papers too. They are a little maligned IMO but for the price they are fab. They have a really nice texture too, and their pastel paper is my fave practice sketchbook for pastels and so ridiculously cheap (though oil pastels do tend to soak through so you need to add glassine). The watercolour paper is great for non watersoluble media like watercolour pencils, gel sticks, or watersoluble pens
Re fine tipped felt pen, smooth papered sketch books are idea---moving my pen across the page needs to feel effortless. But, I'll still use regular sketch books.
I'm sorry for leaving so many separate comments. Your closing statements make me not only want to get back to my art, butt to get back to filming on my channel as well. I haven't really found since I broke my leg and shattered my ankle almost 3 years ago. You are very inspiring artist and friend, thank you for everything that you do for us.
@@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies wow, I can relate. Broke and dislocated hip in June 2023 and it took all my creative energy out of me for months. Your injury sounds much more severe so be patient with your self, inside and out. Tell your dogs I said hi. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
The more comments the better. 🙂 Thank you for all of your support. It really is my pleasure to create and get to know everyone. I hope you get back to art soon. 🙂
I may have more sketch books than you, haha. But i like having one good all-rounder and then a bunch of media-specific stuff. E.g. marker , pastel, watercolour-specific sketchbooks that i keep going in parallel. I also just use loose sheets - sketchbooks are just for my own practice. I also have way too much watercolour paper but unlike some people i am not exceedingly worried about the sizing spoiling because i love cotton paper so much for absolutely everything. I have Holbein sizing fluid just in case (i like to use it in my khadi sketchbook),but mostly if there are sizing issues i use the paper for pastels, gouache or pencil. I love paper
That's exactly how I use my sketchbooks. I enjoy having a few specialty books. It helps me get excited to create when I have a lot of choices to pick from. I've never seen the Holbein sizing before. I need to check that out. Thanks! 👍🏻
@ I have their tan toned sketchbook, I think it’s zeta. I like it a lot. My only issue is that I have probably over 20 sketchbooks and pads running currently. I switch them so I am slow at finishing sketchbooks and pads. I have finished maybe 5 sketchbooks and pads in 5 years.
By the way my favorite sketchbooks so far are the Leda and I have an artisto that I love as well. Please keep in mind that I use dry mediums in my sketchbooks so that would make a difference. I have yet to have found one for wet media that I've enjoyed although I very much want to get the etcher perfect because I love that Fabriano Artistico hot press paper for pencil pieces. But they are so expensive there is just no way that's in my near future. I would like to try the other etcher because I understand that they are using arches paper. You're realism pieces are absolutely amazing. ❤.
Thank you! I hope you find one you can enjoy. I've wanted to try the Leda for a while now. Everyone has good things to say about it. I'll need to push that up on the list. 👍🏻
You’ve probably heard the question, “what is the best camera?” Of course to a photographer you might answer, “the best one is whatever is in your hand at the time.” Not every photographic opportunity presents itself exactly when you have your high dollar digicam. It’s the same with sketchbooks for me. I have “ok” ones, good ones, amazing ones and ones I spent more than I should. But you know when you get that creative idea and you just have to get it down on paper, you’re going to sketch it out on whatever you have nearby. A few years ago as I sat on the sofa thinking about one of my favorite things as a teenager to draw, it was eyes, horses and flowers. So, I grabbed a pencil and a piece of thin graph paper that happened to be in the console of my sofa, and started drawing the eye. No reference, fancy sketchbook (even though I had some). It was and still is, the best eye I’ve ever done. Do I wish it was on better paper? Yes. Do I regret drawing it at all? Heck no! It wasn’t the paper or the medium that created the art. It was just me, sitting there with a pencil, and a crappy piece of graph paper. I will say though, I’ve got a few of those gorgeous leather journals in my wish list!
That's why I enjoy that Montval sketchbook. All of the things in there were done the same way. Just grabbing what I had available at the time and do something, then paste it in a book to keep forever. 🙂
i love pens, so i am your friends 956th sub now. 150gsm = 90lb. what have i had the most fun with this year? it's a weird one, Kathmandu valley co sells a pocket book of lokta paper. when i first got it i thought "what the heck do i do with this?" it's a natural colored, handmade paper made in nepal from a local shrub. it feels like a paper napkin and holds water like a sponge (surprisingly strong). it is not watercolor paper as i know it but i used water color (old cheap ones i want to use up) to dye every page and it works really well with gel, felt tip, and acrylic pens. thank you for sharing what you have been playing with :)
Thank you! He deserves some love. And thank you for the gsm conversion. 👍🏻 I've never heard of that paper before. I love how there is always something new to discover with art supplies. 🙂
Thank you for the presentation of the sketchbooks and opinion about them. But I have a request. How do you organize, how do you keep all these sketchbooks? I’m asking because I have lots since 2011 and no longer have shelves to store them and can not occupy space of the rest of the family :) Thank you
That's a good question. The ones that are finished or I'm not using anymore go into a small cabinet I bought. The rest stay on a shelf next to my desk. If you have a dresser drawer you don't use you could put those things into a closet and use the drawer. Or maybe find an under the bed storage container. If you get a vacuum seal bag to put them in then you can safely store them in an attic, basement, or garage but make sure it is a thick material so it protects them well. I hope that helps. 🙂
@ Yes sir! Oxblood and Writer’s Blood are must haves. Twilight is in my wish list. Green Black is just perfect. Have not tried Smoke on the water. I just in today Wax Seal (an orangey red) from the 160 Anniversary for 2024 series. Nice formula and as I’m a sucker for deep greens and blues, I ordered Tariff Teal from that line.
I have two recommendations. It's between the Etchr Hot Press paper which is smooth but a little soft so if you are putting in a lot of dark areas with fountain pens you could scratch the surface a little. That's true of every paper I've used. The other is the Stillman and Birn Zeta series which is very slick feeling when you draw on it. I enjoy drawing on it. As an honorable mention I would say the Stillman and Birn Alpha series is good as well. There are a lot more pages in that book and it's texture is very similar to cartridge or printer paper but I haven't tested it to see if there is any bleed through if you go heavy with the ink. I hope that helps. Have a Happy New Year! 🙂
My fave no pressure sketchbooks are Seawhite of Brighton. They are a popular cheap brand here in the UK and they make amazing project books. Rather than for artwork, i use mine to do thumbnails, storyboards, sketch out sculptures and installations that i am working on, and just testing stuff out in general. They do not get enough love on TH-cam because they are a no-frills British brand. I muuuuuch prefer their sketchbooks to the Royal Talens ones in the same price range. The RT are cute but the paper is terrible. Seawhite is decent and cheap.
@ they are pretty basic and the paper is really thin but you get a lot of pages and it’s proper mixed media paper (lightly sized, off white and with some texture to it unlike the RT). It’s not fancy stuff, but it’s surprisingly sturdy for what it is.
I think I remember going to a paper making mill in grade school and the whole time all I thought was how much that place stunk. 😂 I don't know if I could get past it.
Thank you so much for showing us all of these wonderful sketchbooks and you're work in them.
I need to let you know that are beautiful 21 month old mommy puppy winter snow passed away just before Christmas. Her babies were 7 1/2 weeks old at the time. Thankfully they are all doing very well but my husband has decided that we're keeping them all so I have a house full of 4 cream and white little Chow chows running around. Everyday I look at them and I see more of their mom in the way they behave and how they look. The smallest baby who is named Winter's Storm AKA Stormy looks exactly like her as a baby and acts quite a bit like her. I haven't been able to do any art since she passed away because I just can't focus. I got sick with bronchitis a few days before she passed away and that stopped me dead in my tracks and so at the moment I am working on one of my cross stitch pieces. It says because someone we love is in heaven there's a little bit of heaven in our home. It feels very fitting to be doing this while I'm stuck in bed sick. It seems to be helping me to feel better emotionally. I miss drawing and painting and I hope to get better soon so that I can do some art but it takes time to heal.😊❤
@@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies Sending condolences. My elderly Sheltie woody passed the first week of December. How comforting to have the puppies! Eskies are gorgeous. Sending hugs.
I'm so sorry to hear that. We have a 14 yr old puggle and we've been dreading that day since she turned 10. I hope this year is a better one for you with the new pups. I'm glad you have that joy of those little ones to look forward to. Feel better soon.
@reginaduke7451 I'm sorry to hear about that. I hope this new year helps you heal. The sadness just proves how much joy and love they bring to our lives.
Very informative and I appreciate your plus and minus comments! Thanks Pete. I’m just now getting into journals so it’s very helpful!
I'm glad you found this helpful. Happy New Year! 🎊
Thanks for the tour through all your books! Glad I'm not the only one that turned a sketchbook into a scrapbook.
Seeing your books and hearing your comments now gives me ideas of how to use some less favorite ones I've shelved, maybe go back and try gouache or paint pens on them instead...
For watercolor on the go, I really like Artist Loft's spiral bound watercolor book. It's tough, handles lots of layers, lifting, doesn't pill, doesn't tear from tape, handles paint on both sides just fine, and is just fine with fine liners, colored pencil detail, and paint pens. However, it does not handle big washes all that well, but on the go, I'm not doing that kind of painting.
Honorable mention to Grumbacher Academy mixed media 98 lb spiral bound journals (can find those at Walmart). They have the pages that you can remove and put back in the book easily. Love those for watercolor with colored pencil or microns. Easier on my pens than traditional watercolor paper.
I absolutely adore my journal I made of Arches cold and rough watercolor paper. I was learning to do a coptic stitch. The stitching is a little loose, but I still love my little journal. I save it for more heavy wash, wet on wet, type painting.
Artist's Loft level 3 rough mixed media (140 lb) is also great for watercolor. Their black mixed media, level 2 (125 lb) works well for true mixed media, watercolor, gouache, paint markers, and gel pens, but does not handle large washes well. For that, I have to use my Stonehenge black watercolor paper and that does NOT bind in a fold (folding it breaks the paper, way too fragile).
For drawing/sketching, not too picky. Just picked up a Master's Touch 80 lb spiral bound book. First test page is a bit smudgy, but only tried one page so far. Also have a tiny square stitch bound one with an elastic (probably Artist's Loft) that I keep in my bag but usually too small for anything other than entertaining myself for five minutes. Generally prefer to quick bind my own from whatever drawing paper is currently grabbing my attention.
My most used sketch book right now is a large spiral bound one from Target, Mondo Llama. I love the size, 9.1 x13.6 inches, perforated sheets for easy removal, and bonus, not smudging on me. Microns did not feather or bleed. Have not tried colored pencil in it yet. Just enough texture but not too much.
For colored pencil, I really like Strathmore's Colored Pencil paper, comes in a spiral bound. The scribble art I sent you was on that. Takes layers well and handles OMS well.
All of your spiral bound handmade journals now has me rethinking my travel journal once I finish the one I'm working on! I really like serial on the go for the ease of folding it over and the support of a hard cover.
Thank you for sharing. I'll have to look up the artist loft spiral watercolor book. Sounds good. I never got along with the Strathmore colored pencil paper. Something about it didn't work well for me. 👍🏻
@@IllustrationsByPete The AL definitely has the typical cold press type texture. If you prefer something closer to a hot press, you might like the "rough" mixed media level 3 (look for the 140 lb), not the level 2 mixed media (that one is thinner, haven't tried that one yet). It's actually slightly smoother than the watercolor paper. Neither is a hot press texture, but the mixed media is a little smoother.
Sketchbook shopping is exactly what's tormenting me right now. This is exactly what I needed! I love paper so much but that also makes me miserable when it's bad. I know I can trust Pete. 😊
I'm glad I can help. I hope you pick the one that's best for you. Even if you pick one that isn't the best for how you work, it could lead to you learning how to use it which could lead to a different style of art that you might enjoy. 🙂
Love this!!!!!❤❤❤❤ thanks for putting this together!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this. 🙂
39:45 "I apologize if you don't want to watch this video but I want to talk about it" has the same energy as "I have a pen and a desire to draw and I'm going to make that everyone's problem" 😂
That's how we roll. 😂
You are too kind Pete - thank you very much for the shoutout!
Much love my friend! ❤🤗
My videos are kind of bland 😅...
Nice sketchbook collections - some really nice pieces you got there.
I have that notebook that you want (in a different leather cover) and it is pretty great - use it on the go when I can.
I even tried a rollerball on it and it works a treat! Not sure how well watercolour will work on it.
Happy New Year bud! 🥳🎉
Nothing bland about your videos. Great info and great art, what more can anyone ask for? 👍🏻
I did get the book as a gift and I love it. I use watercolor on it but it has to be used differently because the watercolor bleeds out a little like ink, but the ink doesn't seem to bleed. So I do the watercolor first and then the ink otherwise the watercolor bleeds outside the lines. All in all, I just love the feeling of using paper that looks that cool. 😂 Happy New Year! 🎉
I spent a lot of yesterday shopping for a new sketchbook and of course your video shows up this morning. Thank you. My other surprise is that I forgot I have a Leather Village sketchbook so that will be what I'm using for 2025 (planning on making a drawing a day). Saved money and time! Appreciate you and your videos Pete.
I'm so glad this helped. The leather village paper is great. The watercolor does bleed a little but I haven't had the ink bleed on it. I don't know if you use any watercolor.on it but I found putting the paint down first and then the ink once it's dry works best for me. 👍🏻
I have too many to name. And yet I'll buy more. I do majority urban sketching. Thanks for the great tour 👍
Happy New Year!
That's the artist's curse. No point in fighting it, just go with the flow.😂 Happy New Year! 🎉
I have to try the Hahnemuhle Watercolor Book. Thank you for your sketchbook tour Pete, like always great video! Happy New Year!
Thank you! Make sure you get the 100% cotton version. They make a pulp paper version as well. 👍🏻
Speaking of using things the way that works for us... Yupo... I use it as a travel mixing palette. I tried the alcohol ink thing, didn't excite me. But it works GREAT as a reusable surface for mixing watercolors or other water based media on the go. It even comes in cardstock and art panel varieties.
Good tip. 👍🏻
This is great info. My kid is a prolific drawer who mostly used printer paper and wanted to save everything. After ~15 binders filled, I think she needs to move to using more sketchbooks. I have a feeling this year is when I start making them. Right now her preferred paper is BK Rives lightweight printmaking paper (for mostly pencil work.)
I am also intrigued by the Fluid hp paper. I love hard lines & glazing when I play with watercolors Thanks!
I'm glad this helped. Yes, that fluid paper is great. I have used it a lot and I love it for what it is. 👍🏻
I would love to see you do a tutorial of how you spiral bind your own sketchbooks. :)
I will add that to the video list for this coming year. 👍🏻
Yes!
Me three! Very interesting to me.
Pete, I would just love to look through all of your sketch books. I would love the hours it would take me to look at all your work. That would be a true thrill for me. I just love your art. ALL OF IT
Thank you Denise! I appreciate you so much. Have a wonderful New Year! 🎉
@ Thank you Pete, Have a wonderful New Year. 🎉
I enjoyed the video, it was very informative . I have only three sketch books. I do drawing in my mixed media books. I have filled one and the other is about half way. WC no good in my books, but great for drawing. I have one WC book that I ordered from Temu and it’s called…get ready….DingDongTu 😂. Discounting the name, I LOVE that book, I can paint in it, draw, colored pens, ink, etc. the paper is awesome but have no idea what the weight is, or any particulars really. It’s a six ring, so easy to remove a painting. My niece and her husband have taken so many of them my rings are worn out. LOL Otherwise, I use WC block and end up with tons of single paintings to deal with…OMGosh😮. Thanks for the information, Pete, it’s more than helpful.
Thank you! I love finding little treasures with supplies. Finding a no-name brand that works well for you is always fun. 😊
I really enjoyed looking at all your art and your experiences with your sketchbooks. I bought myself a few different journals for Christmas to see what I would like so it was interesting to see what you did with them. The art that you were happiest with was also my favourite and I did some art pieces along with your video. Thanks. I hope you had a good Christmas and will have a Happy New Year.
Thank you! I hope you have fun experimenting with them. I hope you had a Merry Christmas as well and have a wonderful New Year! 🎉
@@IllustrationsByPete Thank you
This inspired me quite a bit to use up my sketchbooks.
I'm glad I could help. 🙂
@@IllustrationsByPete Happy New Year 🎉
Happy New Year! 🎉
I like Canson XL papers too. They are a little maligned IMO but for the price they are fab. They have a really nice texture too, and their pastel paper is my fave practice sketchbook for pastels and so ridiculously cheap (though oil pastels do tend to soak through so you need to add glassine). The watercolour paper is great for non watersoluble media like watercolour pencils, gel sticks, or watersoluble pens
I agree. They have some great options. 👍🏻
Loved this! Thanks Pete
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Re fine tipped felt pen, smooth papered sketch books are idea---moving my pen across the page needs to feel effortless.
But, I'll still use regular sketch books.
The Stillman and Birn Zeta series feels almost slippery to draw on. 👍🏻
I'm sorry for leaving so many separate comments. Your closing statements make me not only want to get back to my art, butt to get back to filming on my channel as well. I haven't really found since I broke my leg and shattered my ankle almost 3 years ago. You are very inspiring artist and friend, thank you for everything that you do for us.
@@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies wow, I can relate. Broke and dislocated hip in June 2023 and it took all my creative energy out of me for months. Your injury sounds much more severe so be patient with your self, inside and out. Tell your dogs I said hi. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
The more comments the better. 🙂
Thank you for all of your support. It really is my pleasure to create and get to know everyone. I hope you get back to art soon. 🙂
Happy New Year. Here's to watching you finish your next sketch book. You make me look lazy! Lol.
No, it takes me years to finish sketchbooks. 😂 I hope you have a Happy New Year as well! 🎉
I love your art!!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy it. 🙂
I may have more sketch books than you, haha. But i like having one good all-rounder and then a bunch of media-specific stuff. E.g. marker , pastel, watercolour-specific sketchbooks that i keep going in parallel. I also just use loose sheets - sketchbooks are just for my own practice. I also have way too much watercolour paper but unlike some people i am not exceedingly worried about the sizing spoiling because i love cotton paper so much for absolutely everything. I have Holbein sizing fluid just in case (i like to use it in my khadi sketchbook),but mostly if there are sizing issues i use the paper for pastels, gouache or pencil. I love paper
That's exactly how I use my sketchbooks. I enjoy having a few specialty books. It helps me get excited to create when I have a lot of choices to pick from. I've never seen the Holbein sizing before. I need to check that out. Thanks! 👍🏻
Kindred spirits 👍My sketchbooks are for fun and for me.
I like smooth paper, xl bristol is very nice
That's how the Stillman and Birn Zeta paper is. Almost had a slick feeling to it. 👍🏻
@ I have their tan toned sketchbook, I think it’s zeta. I like it a lot. My only issue is that I have probably over 20 sketchbooks and pads running currently. I switch them so I am slow at finishing sketchbooks and pads. I have finished maybe 5 sketchbooks and pads in 5 years.
I have the same problem. 🤣
Loved this walkthrough and enjoyed the longer video! Happy New Year, Pete!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this. Happy New Year! 🙂
By the way my favorite sketchbooks so far are the Leda and I have an artisto that I love as well. Please keep in mind that I use dry mediums in my sketchbooks so that would make a difference. I have yet to have found one for wet media that I've enjoyed although I very much want to get the etcher perfect because I love that Fabriano Artistico hot press paper for pencil pieces. But they are so expensive there is just no way that's in my near future. I would like to try the other etcher because I understand that they are using arches paper. You're realism pieces are absolutely amazing. ❤.
Thank you! I hope you find one you can enjoy. I've wanted to try the Leda for a while now. Everyone has good things to say about it. I'll need to push that up on the list. 👍🏻
You’ve probably heard the question, “what is the best camera?” Of course to a photographer you might answer, “the best one is whatever is in your hand at the time.” Not every photographic opportunity presents itself exactly when you have your high dollar digicam. It’s the same with sketchbooks for me. I have “ok” ones, good ones, amazing ones and ones I spent more than I should. But you know when you get that creative idea and you just have to get it down on paper, you’re going to sketch it out on whatever you have nearby. A few years ago as I sat on the sofa thinking about one of my favorite things as a teenager to draw, it was eyes, horses and flowers. So, I grabbed a pencil and a piece of thin graph paper that happened to be in the console of my sofa, and started drawing the eye. No reference, fancy sketchbook (even though I had some). It was and still is, the best eye I’ve ever done. Do I wish it was on better paper? Yes. Do I regret drawing it at all? Heck no! It wasn’t the paper or the medium that created the art. It was just me, sitting there with a pencil, and a crappy piece of graph paper. I will say though, I’ve got a few of those gorgeous leather journals in my wish list!
That's why I enjoy that Montval sketchbook. All of the things in there were done the same way. Just grabbing what I had available at the time and do something, then paste it in a book to keep forever. 🙂
@ Yes, it will be easier to hand down to the kids in books than scrap pieces of paper. I should probably make a scrapbook of my loose pieces.
That's a great idea. 👍🏻
i love pens, so i am your friends 956th sub now. 150gsm = 90lb. what have i had the most fun with this year? it's a weird one, Kathmandu valley co sells a pocket book of lokta paper. when i first got it i thought "what the heck do i do with this?" it's a natural colored, handmade paper made in nepal from a local shrub. it feels like a paper napkin and holds water like a sponge (surprisingly strong). it is not watercolor paper as i know it but i used water color (old cheap ones i want to use up) to dye every page and it works really well with gel, felt tip, and acrylic pens. thank you for sharing what you have been playing with :)
Thank you! He deserves some love. And thank you for the gsm conversion. 👍🏻 I've never heard of that paper before. I love how there is always something new to discover with art supplies. 🙂
Paper! 🥰
I love it! 😊
Thank you for the presentation of the sketchbooks and opinion about them. But I have a request. How do you organize, how do you keep all these sketchbooks? I’m asking because I have lots since 2011 and no longer have shelves to store them and can not occupy space of the rest of the family :) Thank you
That's a good question. The ones that are finished or I'm not using anymore go into a small cabinet I bought. The rest stay on a shelf next to my desk. If you have a dresser drawer you don't use you could put those things into a closet and use the drawer. Or maybe find an under the bed storage container. If you get a vacuum seal bag to put them in then you can safely store them in an attic, basement, or garage but make sure it is a thick material so it protects them well. I hope that helps. 🙂
@@IllustrationsByPete a vacuum seal bag is a good idea , protect from humidity
Yes, Aurora Borealis is Diamine. One of my fave inks!
Diamine inks are some of my favorites. I also enjoy their Ox Blood, Twilight, Green Black, and Smoke on the Water. 👍🏻
@ Yes sir! Oxblood and Writer’s Blood are must haves. Twilight is in my wish list. Green Black is just perfect. Have not tried Smoke on the water. I just in today Wax Seal (an orangey red) from the 160 Anniversary for 2024 series. Nice formula and as I’m a sucker for deep greens and blues, I ordered Tariff Teal from that line.
Sounds great. I need to look into more of them. 👍🏻
Holy mackerel. that's a great selection. Go take a nap! LOL which is the best for pen and ink w/o watercolor? :D
I have two recommendations. It's between the Etchr Hot Press paper which is smooth but a little soft so if you are putting in a lot of dark areas with fountain pens you could scratch the surface a little. That's true of every paper I've used. The other is the Stillman and Birn Zeta series which is very slick feeling when you draw on it. I enjoy drawing on it. As an honorable mention I would say the Stillman and Birn Alpha series is good as well. There are a lot more pages in that book and it's texture is very similar to cartridge or printer paper but I haven't tested it to see if there is any bleed through if you go heavy with the ink. I hope that helps. Have a Happy New Year! 🙂
@ thank you! Thats exactly what I needed to know! I will order them today and report back which I like best! 👍😃😃 Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Yes, please let me know which ones you enjoy. Happy New Year!🎉
My fave no pressure sketchbooks are Seawhite of Brighton. They are a popular cheap brand here in the UK and they make amazing project books. Rather than for artwork, i use mine to do thumbnails, storyboards, sketch out sculptures and installations that i am working on, and just testing stuff out in general. They do not get enough love on TH-cam because they are a no-frills British brand. I muuuuuch prefer their sketchbooks to the Royal Talens ones in the same price range. The RT are cute but the paper is terrible. Seawhite is decent and cheap.
I'll have to see if I can get those here. I've never heard of them.
@ they are pretty basic and the paper is really thin but you get a lot of pages and it’s proper mixed media paper (lightly sized, off white and with some texture to it unlike the RT). It’s not fancy stuff, but it’s surprisingly sturdy for what it is.
Musabellearti Imago Sketch books absolutely wonderful travel journals for drawings
I'll have to look into them. 👍🏻
Have a blender? …make your own paper🤔 it’s not hard 🙄
I don't know if I want to go that far. 😂
@ 🤣🤣try it… you’ll like it🤗🤣🤣
Think of it as a 2025 new year’s challenge🙄
I think I remember going to a paper making mill in grade school and the whole time all I thought was how much that place stunk. 😂 I don't know if I could get past it.
@ were you in Georgia?😳 Or Puyallup? 😖 I don’t know what those commercial places do to add the stink but it’s a hard thing to replicate🤢